Meanings of 金
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About 金
Podcast: 金
Podcast: 金
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AI Study Notes for 金
银 (yín) - use '金' for gold specifically, while '银' refers to silver.
Be careful not to confuse '金' with similar characters that depict other metals or coins. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing wealth or materials. Common collocations include 金钱 (jīnqián - money) and 黄金 (huángjīn - gold bullion).
Though '金' is not an official HSK word, it connects well with vocabulary related to wealth and materials. Students should focus on its various uses in contexts of economics and culture, as well as its role in family names.
Learners often confuse '金' with '木' (mù - wood) due to the similar structure. For example, writing '金' when they mean 'wood' in contexts like furniture can lead to misunderstandings; remember '金' pertains to metals and wealth.
Pronunciation of 金
Drill the tone of 金 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 金
Phonosemantic compound. 王 represents the meaning and 今 represents the sound. 王 is used here because it originally was a pictograph of an axe head, which is made from metal.
A cast-iron bell
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 金
Phonosemantic compound. 王 represents the meaning and 今 represents the sound. 王 is used here because it originally was a pictograph of an axe head, which is made from metal.
- 1The giveawayA cast-iron bell
- 2On the record aspictographic — someone drew the thing itself.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 金? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 金?
Decomposition of 金
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 金?
How to say surname Jin in Chinese
“surname Jin” in Chinese is金
金 (jīn) primarily means 'gold' and is used to refer to the chemical element Au. It can also denote money or valuable metals more generally, and it has cultural significance, often representing wealth and prosperity in Chinese society. Additionally, '金' is a common surname and relates to the historical Jurchen Jin dynasty.
When to use 金
Be careful not to confuse '金' with similar characters that depict other metals or coins. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing wealth or materials. Common collocations include 金钱 (jīnqián - money) and 黄金 (huángjīn - gold bullion).
金 or something close to it
银 (yín) - use '金' for gold specifically, while '银' refers to silver.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse '金' with '木' (mù - wood) due to the similar structure. For example, writing '金' when they mean 'wood' in contexts like furniture can lead to misunderstandings; remember '金' pertains to metals and wealth.
Write 金
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Practice writing 金 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 金
金 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 12 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
我参加中文水平考试是为了获得奖学____去中国留学。
My taking the Chinese proficiency exam is in order to get a scholarship to study abroad in China.
Common Confusions with 金
金 is often used as a radical for metal-related characters.
Similar pronunciation but different meaning, often confused in writing.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "surname Jin"?
Usage Notes for 金
Learners often confuse 金 with other characters that include the metal radical, such as 钅 and 锦.
金和钅的区别是什么？
What is the difference between 金 and 钅?
Fill in the Blank
____和钅的区别是什么？
What is the difference between 金 and 钅?
Example Sentences for 金 (10)
Cultural Notes for 金
In Chinese culture, gold is associated with wealth and prosperity. It is often used in decorations during festivals, such as Chinese New Year, symbolizing good fortune and happiness.
In Western cultures, gold is often associated with luxury and financial security, but in China, it holds deeper cultural significance linked to good fortune and status.
Word Family of 金
Compound Meaning
What does 鉴 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 金
Common phrases that include 金 (jīn) are '金钱' (jīnqián) meaning 'money', and '黄金' (huángjīn) meaning 'gold' or 'golden'. These phrases are often used in financial or valuable contexts.
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